USC to implement course material flat rate in fall

Students will instantly be registered for the program, but they are able to opt out.

By SEAN CAMPBELL
The USC Bookstore
Students will automatically be registered for the program when they register for classes, but they can opt out of the fee until the course add/drop date. (Tomoki Chien / Daily Trojan file photo)

Beginning Fall 2025, the University will institute a digital course materials program that will set a flat rate for students to access all required textbooks and course materials online, the Office of the Provost announced in a community-wide email Tuesday. The fee will not cover recommended materials for courses.

Students will automatically be registered for the program when they register for classes, but they can opt out of the fee until the course add/drop date. The fee covers the cost of physical materials if items are unavailable digitally.

The Office of the Provost wrote that the program would save an average student around 60% on textbooks and course materials. The rate will be $292 for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters and $149.50 for the Summer 2026 semester.


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In an FAQ page linked on the community-wide message, the University wrote that the program is beneficial because faculty can begin teaching material on the first day of classes and said the streamlined process will decrease student stress about purchasing materials. 

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